[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by clutch

Of course like almost everyone, people love to b and moan...... but even Dick Dasterdly and Muttly had fans

LOL!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Ok, guys and gals--

Let's define "over-rated".

As LSC mentioned, is it the media? LSC's response to Lefty Noob's knowledgeable statistics was spot on.

Let's consider Bill Elliott. As far back as I can remember, Bill was voted "Most Popular Driver" year after year. Was that based on his driving skills, wins, or his likeability. I'm betting on the latter of the three. Dale Sr. was voted "Most Popular Driver" only once that I am aware of, 1998, the year he was killed. I don't even know who the winner of this title is these days.

Are we questioning a driver being over-rated by the publicity they get?

Who's the best driver ever? Who knows? I'd say Sr. would be in the top five at a minimum. Love him or hate him, he made some moves that no one else ever has or ever will. Jr. is still a young buck. Will he be a legend like his dad? I don't know. His brother, Kerry, also races, but is not successful regardless of his heritage. Jr., without question, is talented.

Who isn't over-rated for one reason or another in this sport?

I screwed up! Dale was voted "Most Popular Driver" in 2001, not 1998. Dale won Daytona in 1998 and died in 2001. 2001 was a bad year overall.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I do think Jr. is over-rated in some sense. When he was racing with his Dad and winning (Texas and Richmond in '00), people found it amusing. When he kept winning after his death in '01, people began to cling to him because they thought he could follow his father's footsteps. The problem is that he hasn't done that. He seems to have trouble when odds are against him, or when his car isn't doing what he wants. Unlike alot of drivers, I haven't really seen him make much out of a bad situation. Everyone expects him to perform every week, but the reality is, he hasn't. Things aren't always going to be perfect and Jr. needs to learn what to do when they aren't.

Anyway, I think the reason he is over-rated, and I use that term loosely, is because he got everybody's hopes up early on and hasn't exactly delivered.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

died in 2001. 2001 was a bad year overall.

worst thing to ever happen to NASCAR

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

worst thing to ever happen to NASCAR

You are so right there Simon. That is the most devastating day to any fan base. I do miss him on the track in that black #3. My thoughts for a driver will never be the same again. There will never be a driver out there that will ever take his place.

[simple simon]

i basically left the sport the day he died

and only came back this season in part due to this forum and you guys here

and now i hitched my wagon to Montoya

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i basically left the sport the day he died

and only came back this season in part due to this forum and you guys here

and now i hitched my wagon to Montoya

I am glad you came back to NA$CAR don't care who you root for just root for the racing if for nothing else. For me the jury is still out on Montoya. I'm not saying I don't like him, there just hasn't been enough time.

[simple simon]

well i couldnt stay away forever.......i followed the sport closely for about 25 years before he died

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

well i couldnt stay away forever.......i followed the sport closely for about 25 years before he died

Ether way glad your back

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

I'm not saying I don't like him, there just hasn't been enough time.

My thoughts exactly

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

I'm not saying I don't like him, there just hasn't been enough time.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

My thoughts exactly

see but thats basically one of the main reasons i decided to like Montoya

i didnt want to be a bandwagon jumper.........or even have preconceived notions for liking him or not

it would have been fairly easy to latch onto Stewart or JG or anyone like that....but im freshly back to NASCAR so i wanted a totally fresh start and picked Montoya

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

see but thats basically one of the main reasons i decided to like Montoya

i didnt want to be a bandwagon jumper.........or even have preconceived notions for liking him or not

it would have been fairly easy to latch onto Stewart or JG or anyone like that....but im freshly back to NASCAR so i wanted a totally fresh start and picked Montoya

Hadn't thought about it that way, but good reason I guess.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

see but thats basically one of the main reasons i decided to like Montoya

i didnt want to be a bandwagon jumper.........or even have preconceived notions for liking him or not

Excellent reasons for following the new kid on the block. Since I'm not a driver fan I'll sit back and enjoy the racing he hopefully will provide. My only point of discussion with Juan Pablo is that too many people already have given him the ROY award. It is, as I've said at least once ???, just a wee bit early for that. If he wins it I'm all for it, but I think we all know how unaviodable circumstances can ruin a good drivers final standings in each race and the entire season. Case in point, Kasey Kahne.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

You are so right there Simon. That is the most devastating day to any fan base. I do miss him on the track in that black #3. My thoughts for a driver will never be the same again. There will never be a driver out there that will ever take his place.

Yes, losing Dale was a big hit. I also will never have the same thoughts and passion for another driver. He was "The Man". I still enjoy racing, so I have to follow "someone", but it's not the same.

The only thing I can say is that he died doing what he loved most, at the track he won the most, Daytona, barring the 500. When I saw how slowly the ambulance left the track, I knew he was gone.

So tell me, what's the fascination with Montoya? I stopped following open-wheel racing when the "split" happened, and I have no idea why there is so much coverage/discussion about him.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Yes, losing Dale was a big hit. I also will never have the same thoughts and passion for another driver. He was "The Man". I still enjoy racing, so I have to follow "someone", but it's not the same.

.

Those are my thoughts EXACTLY!